AUDIENCE: CLAUDE

[retellers]

Comments

[riegan]

For now.

(Only for now.)

But I've heard from someone else on your team that it might not be the end. Do you still think this?

[retellers]

I believe there is a way. However, whether it is worth the price or not--whatever that may be--is a separate matter. Death isn't something that is undone without a price.

[riegan]

Of course, and I normally wouldn't believe its something that could or should be undone.

But I think there are people here who would be willing to pay to right some of the wrongs that have happened here. Some people here have already paid heavy prices.

[retellers]

Perhaps. And here, in this world that works according to strange rules, that is their decision to bear.

[riegan]

Then why not give us another decision?

(And he sighs, stretching his neck and sitting up straight in front of Goat,)

I get it, you probably won't want to talk to me as much because I'm not on your team. Especially since this is our first time talking to each other, too. But if you have anything to say that could help us right some of the wrongs here, I would appreciate it.

[retellers]

[ they tilt their head. ]

I do not understand. All I know is that the dead can be revived, in a way I do not know. I'm not sure what other decision you wish for me to give...?

[riegan]

So you're talking hypothetical prices and not real ones.

(Checks out and he sighs,)

If you do learn more about how to bring back the dead... I'd like you to let others decide if they're willing to pay whatever price is necessary.

[retellers]

Who are you to tell me this?

[ it's said mostly neutrally, though there's a questioning note in their tone. ]

You know little of me or what I have done. You said you heard this from someone else on my team, did you not? I think that speaks for itself.

[riegan]

Right, right. (And he holds up a hand, he'll let it go!) I'll come back to it another time.

(He's been pushing his luck for awhile so it's probably best to... dial it back a bit!!)

Did you ever talk to Raven? Or Schwann?

[retellers]

Yes.

[ they hold out a hand, onto which a bird comes to perch, apparently unafraid of them. they give it a soft smile, before they look to claude, their expression fading into passiveness once more. ]

... Do you have business with me? I will tell you what I have told others, from those in my team to those outside of it: speak plainly.

[ sorry claude, but dialing back now is going to look insincere. ]

What people think of me is of no concern to me. So, I have no interest in false pleasantries. I am not impressed by mind games.

[riegan]

(Speaking plainly is... difficult for Claude and he's quiet for a while, as if trying to figure out exactly how to do that,)

... I came here to ask if you knew anything about how to bring back those who have been removed. You're the first source I've heard about this and I was hoping you would have learned more.

(That's the truth, at least.)

But if there's nothing more to be gained there, then there's my second reason for coming here. I want to try to find out who killed Raven. Not for revenge-- that isn't my style. But to understand why.

I know you leaders go to sleep like the rest of us. And I don't really expect you to know much... but if he was on your team, I'm hoping maybe you noticed something after he changed. I know you leaders can keep an eye on us.

That's it.

[retellers]

... Then you will be disappointed. I don't know who took his life, I didn't notice anything, and if there was anything unusual about Raven's change, beyond him losing more of his memories, I did not sense it.

[riegan]

... Yeah, you got that right. (It is disappointing to get nothing but he'd kind of expected it.) I'm not surprised, though. I know you guys are also missing a lot of answers to your own questions.

[retellers]

Yes. I'm sorry that I cannot be of more assistance.